He says: "I quit my job and stayed at home most of the time. I couldn't sleep flatly and even walking became a weary job to me."

After the operation

Recent charitable donations meant that Yang was finally able to undergo surgery to remove the giant tumour.

Doctor Yang Li said the surgery was quite challenging because the tumor was tightly connected to the spine and was rich with blood vessels.

Doctors from several department took part in the 9-hour surgery, during which they transfused 20,000ml of blood into Yang - the equivalent of four adults. However, they were able to successfully remove the tumour.